The present invention provides methods of making an aqueous composition comprising polymerizing in the presence of one or more initiators at a pH of from 1 to 5 an aqueous monomer mixture of an aqueous medium and one or more acrylic or vinyl macromonomers containing an oxyalkylene chain group in the presence of one or more carboxylic acid group containing fluids chosen from a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, a polymeric polycarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, to form a brush polymer-containing oxyalkylene side chain groups, wherein, the polymerizing takes place at a solids content ranging from 8 to 60 wt.%, and, combining one or more aromatic cofactors with the aqueous composition. In addition, the present invention provides aqueous compositions of brush polymers containing oxyalkylene side chain groups having more than one phase domain and a substantially reduced viscosity to enable processing with far less energy input or water waste.

Use of a comb polymer as an inerting agent for non-swelling layer-silicates, the comb polymer including: a) at least one poly(alkylene oxide) side chain-bearing monomer unit M1 without ionic groups, b) optionally at least one cationic monomer unit MC, wherein the molar ratio of the cationic monomer units MC to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is equal to or less than 0.1, preferably less than 0.05, c) optionally at least one anionic monomer unit MA, wherein the molar ratio of the anionic monomer units MA to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is less than 1, preferably equal to or less than 0.5, and c) optionally at least one non-ionic monomer unit M3, wherein the molar ratio of the non-ionic monomer units M3 to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is less than 7, preferably equal to or less than 3.

A method includes adding (i) a comb polymer and (ii) a plasticizer to a mineral binder composition comprising swellable clays. The comb polymer includes: at least one poly(alkylene oxide) side chain-bearing monomer unit without ionic groups, optionally at least one cationic monomer unit, optionally at least one anionic monomer unit, and optionally, at least one non-ionic monomer unit, wherein a molar ratio of the cationic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is equal to or less than 10, a molar ratio of the anionic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is less than 1, and a molar ratio of the non-ionic monomer units to the side chain-bearing monomer units is less than 5.

The present invention provides compositions useful as a replacement for cellulose ether in cement, plaster or mortar compositions comprising i) nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups, and having a relative weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000 g/mole, and ii) aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups, such as catechol tannins, phenolic resins, polyphenolics, and napthhols or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, such as naphthalene sulfonate aldehyde condensate polymers, poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate) copolymers, and lignin sulfonates, preferably branched cofactors, including phenolic resins, aldehyde condensate polymers and lignin sulfonates. The compositions may comprise a dry powder blend of i) and ii), one dry powder of both i) and ii), or an aqueous mixture.

The present invention provides compositions useful as a replacement for cellulose ether in cement, plaster or mortar compositions comprising i) nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups, and having a relative weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000 g/mole, and ii) aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups, such as catechol tannins, phenolic resins, polyphenolics, and napthhols or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, such as naphthalene sulfonate aldehyde condensate polymers, poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate) copolymers, and lignin sulfonates, preferably branched cofactors, including phenolic resins, aldehyde condensate polymers and lignin sulfonates. The compositions may comprise a dry powder blend of i) and ii), one dry powder of both i) and ii), or an aqueous mixture.

A comb polymer, in particular for use as a clay-inerting agent, including: a) at least one poly(alkylene oxide) side chain-bearing monomer unit M1 without ionic groups, b) optionally at least one cationic monomer unit MC, c) optionally at least one anionic monomer unit MA, d) optionally, at least one non-ionic monomer unit M3, wherein the molar ratio of the cationic monomer units MC to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is equal to or less than 10, the molar ratio of the anionic monomer units MA to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is less than 1, preferably equal to or less than 0.5, and the molar ratio of the non-ionic monomer units M3 to the side chain-bearing monomer units M1 is less than 5.

A set control composition for cementitious systems comprises (a) an amine-glyoxylic acid condensate, and (b) at least one of (i) a borate source and (ii) a carbonate source. The carbonate source is selected from inorganic carbonates having an aqueous solubility of 0.1 gL.sup.−1 or more, and organic carbonates. The set control composition improves workability of cementitious systems for prolonged periods of time without compromising early compressive strength. Due to the retarding action of the set control composition, the dosage of dispersant(s) necessary to obtain a desired flowability of the cementitious system can be reduced.

A set control composition for cementitious systems comprises (a) an amine-glyoxylic acid condensate, and (b) at least one of (i) a borate source and (ii) a carbonate source. The carbonate source is selected from inorganic carbonates having an aqueous solubility of 0.1 gL.sup.−1 or more, and organic carbonates. The set control composition improves workability of cementitious systems for prolonged periods of time without compromising early compressive strength. Due to the retarding action of the set control composition, the dosage of dispersant(s) necessary to obtain a desired flowability of the cementitious system can be reduced.

A preparation method of a powdery polycarboxylate superplasticizer is provided, including: mixing a superplasticizer monomer with water to produce a mixture, heating and melting the mixture to produce a melt system; carrying out a bulk polymerization reaction by adding an initiator, a chain transfer agent and an unsaturated carboxylic acid into the melt system, forming a polycarboxylate superplasticizer precursor; and neutralizing and pulverizing the polycarboxylate superplasticizer precursor to produce a powdery polycarboxylate superplasticizer. Water is added in the bulk polymerization and reacts with the superplasticizer monomer and the unsaturated carboxylic acid. While the bulk polymerization reaction is guaranteed to be efficiently carried out and the solid polycarboxylate superplasticizer is formed, the viscosity of a bulk polymerization reaction system is reduced. The superplasticizer is suitable for dry-mixed mortar, high-efficiency concrete and other products.

A preparation method of a powdery polycarboxylate superplasticizer is provided, including: mixing a superplasticizer monomer with water to produce a mixture, heating and melting the mixture to produce a melt system; carrying out a bulk polymerization reaction by adding an initiator, a chain transfer agent and an unsaturated carboxylic acid into the melt system, forming a polycarboxylate superplasticizer precursor; and neutralizing and pulverizing the polycarboxylate superplasticizer precursor to produce a powdery polycarboxylate superplasticizer. Water is added in the bulk polymerization and reacts with the superplasticizer monomer and the unsaturated carboxylic acid. While the bulk polymerization reaction is guaranteed to be efficiently carried out and the solid polycarboxylate superplasticizer is formed, the viscosity of a bulk polymerization reaction system is reduced. The superplasticizer is suitable for dry-mixed mortar, high-efficiency concrete and other products.